Secateurs on test
Reviewing and recommending some of the best snippers on the market
One of the most used tools in the gardener’s kit is a good pair of secateurs. They’re essential year-round for pruning and tidying, deadheading and cutting back. They’re also one of the tools most likely to break, blunt or get lost - hands up if you’ve ever uncovered a rusty pair under a pile of leaves or deep in the compost bin?
However, it’s well worth investing in a decent pair of secateurs; a quality pair, regularly maintained will last for years. They’re also built for extended use, which means they shouldn’t strain your hand or wrist - and many are designed ergonomically for anyone suffering health conditions which cause pain or limit their mobility.
I’ve tested a selection of secateurs widely on sale, made by a range of manufacturers. I used each pair to prune a few shrubs, checking their ability to cut cleanly and to remove a range of branches of different sizes. I’ve rated each for comfort, ease of use and design.
Niwaki Shumatsu secateurs - £49.00
Description: These unusual looking secateurs have dimpled, golf ball-like textured handles. They’re made from aluminium which means they’re nice and light, and great for extended use. Ideal for cut flowers, houseplants and general pruning.
On test: the light aluminium handles make these comfortable to wield, and the dimpled texture means there’s enough grip. The clasp holds them securely shut. They can cut easily through branches of various sizes and if you like a reassuring ‘snip’ when you make a cut, these are the ones for you!
Comfort - 5/5
Ease of use - 5/5
Design - 5/5
Alpen Gelbhorn 150 - Gelbhorn 150 Pruning Shear – RRP £29.99
Description: This is a new brand, a sister to the popular brand Felco, which makes tools for professionals and savvy home gardeners. These pruning shears boast fully chromed blades which provide a clean cut up to 20mm. They’re corrosion-resistant and designed principally for outdoor work.
On test: I was very pleasantly surprised by these new secateurs, which cut cleanly and efficiently. They feel sturdy and well-made, with comfortable, grippy handles. They’ve got a pleasing squeeze-open feature too, which is great for one-handed use but does make them a little fiddly to secure closed again, until you get the knack. I like the yellow handles too!
Comfort - 4/5
Ease of use - 3/5
Design - 5/5
Spear & Jackson Compound Action Bypass Secateurs - £29.99
Description: These not only have hardened carbon steel blades for lasting sharpness, they also offer ‘an ergonomic shaped handle with a soft feel grip for enhanced comfort’. Not only that, but the compound action provides a stronger cutting force, with no extra effort required from the user.
On test: These have a comfortable shape and they’re quite light to handle, although they do open very wide and I found them a little slippy, especially when I had gloves on. However the compound action of these secateurs is fantastic, making light work of larger branches - I could definitely see myself reaching for these when there’s a big pruning job to be done. The ambidextrous locking catch feels smooth and secure too.
Comfort - 4/5
Ease of use - 3/5
Design - 4/5
Spear & Jackson Vintage Bypass Secateurs - £9.00
Description: Designed in an authentic vintage style for those who appreciate traditional hand tools, these are made with carbon steel blades for strength and durability. There are cushioned, non-slip handles and a built-on locking catch for safe carrying and storage.
On test: A lovely pair of secateurs, which might remind you of the tools you or your parents used to have. I like the balance of handle and blades; the non-slip grips feel safe and comfortable, and there’s a reliable, traditional locking catch. I found it more difficult to cut bigger branches with these, so they may not be for intensive use or very tough jobs, but they are an attractive and useful pair for general, everyday use with another satisfying ‘snip’. A great bargain.
Comfort - 4/5
Ease of use - 4/5
Design - 5/5
Kent & Stowe Sure Cut All Purpose Lite Secateurs - £20.00
Description: Kent & Stowe say these secateurs deliver immaculate cuts, “effortlessly slicing through greenery, flowers, as well as shrubs.” The die-cast aluminum handles feature a special ‘micro hex’ grip, which is ergonomic for extended use. They’re good for right or left hand use, and have an adjustable hand sizer.
On test: These have a good grip, they’re light, comfortable and easy to hold, with or without gloves. I liked being able to adjust the size of the secateurs, as I have fairly small hands. The 24mm cutting diameter means they were useful for pruning most sizes of branches in my shrubbery, though I had to use two hands for the larger cuts!
Comfort - 4/5
Ease of use - 5/5
Design - 4/5
Kent & Stowe Traditional All-Purpose Secateurs -
Another traditional style handcrafted pair of secateurs - and these boast high quality carbon steel blades with a non-stick finish. They’re good for a wide variety of gardening tasks as they’ve been specifically designed for cutting delicate stems and live wood. Kent & Stowe claims the design reduces the risk of bruising or damaging the plant stems, promoting healthier growth and quicker healing.
On test: I liked the easy-open squeeze and release lock, which made it easier to operate these quickly or one-handed. They feel high-quality and well made - but those weighty blades mean they’re a little on the heavy side, and I found the handles uncomfortable after using them for a while.
Comfort - 3/5
Ease of use - 3/5
Design - 4/5
Bonus extra: Niwaki snips
A neat, slim pair of garden snips which are ideal for quick tasks like deadheading or cutting flowers for the vase, or collecting herbs and crops for the kitchen. I have a well-loved and well-used pair which come in handy year-round.
There you have it - some recommendations for the next time you’re in the market for a new pair. Or even when you’re not - after all, it’s always handy to have a pair at the back door, one in the greenhouse, one in the shed, one in your pocket…